Degree of polarization and quantum-mechanical purity
H. Moya-Cessa, J. R. Moya-Cessa, J.E.A. Landgrave, G. Martinez-Niconoff, A. Perez-Leija, A. T. Friberg
Abstract
The purity parameter is used in quantum mechanics to discriminate
pure states from mixed states. We employ this concept to define a
degree of polarization for general, three-dimensional, classical
random electric fields. Our approach leads to a result that is
identical with a recent definition obtained by a decomposition of
the polarization matrix in terms of the Gell-Mann matrices. We
also give an expression for this degree of polarization based on
the constituent two-dimensional subsystems.
pure states from mixed states. We employ this concept to define a
degree of polarization for general, three-dimensional, classical
random electric fields. Our approach leads to a result that is
identical with a recent definition obtained by a decomposition of
the polarization matrix in terms of the Gell-Mann matrices. We
also give an expression for this degree of polarization based on
the constituent two-dimensional subsystems.
© The Authors. All rights reserved. [DOI: 10.2971/jeos.2008.08014]
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Citation
H. Moya-Cessa, J. R. Moya-Cessa, J.E.A. Landgrave, G. Martinez-Niconoff, A. Perez-Leija, A. T. Friberg, "Degree of polarization and quantum-mechanical purity", J. Europ. Opt. Soc. Rap. Public. 08014 Vol 3 (2008)
DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.2971/jeos.2008.08014